Chicago Slam Works to Kick Off Theater Season with ONE DAY WHEN WE ARE ALL ROBOTS at Stage773, 8/15

Chicago Slam Works announces the premiere of a three-production interdisciplinary theater season beginning with "One Day When We Are All Robots" opening Friday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. at Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont.

Chicago Slam Works House Ensemble collaboratively writes the productions which connect different disciplinaries including comedy, movement, spoken word and music through a common theme. Directed by J.W. Basilo and Reggie Eldridge, "One Day When We Are All Robots" explores the new identity: what it means to be a human seeking connection in an increasingly digital world.

"I came to Chicago Slam Works with the goal of moving performance poetry from the dive bars and libraries and coffee shops and into the footlights of Chicago's traditional theater stages," said ensemble director J.W. Basilo. "After our successful runs at The Vittum Theatre and Raven Theater we realized Chicago is ready for an expanded performance poetry season. Audiences can look forward to performances that are comedic, truthful and raucous all with a poetic bent. And all of the works are conceptualized, written, choreographed and performed by the House Ensemble."

"One Day When We Are All Robots" incorporates spoken word, music, movement, and sketch comedy into a theater experience that is unique, funny, poignant, and truly unlike anything else happening Chicago's poetry or theater landscape. The ensemble director is J.W. Basilo and associate director is Reggie Eldridge. Chicago Slam Works House Ensemble season will also include a production in Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.

Chicago Slam Works strives to build upon Chicago's unique heritage as the birthplace of modern performance poetry by empowering students, poets, and arts organizations toward the advancement of the art form. Slam poetry began in Chicago's gritty speakeasy scene at the Green Mill lounge, by Marc Kelly Smith in 1986. The poetry slam was a catalyst of modern performance poetry which has since spread around the world. Due to the growth and enthusiastic response slam poetry has received worldwide, Chicago Slam Works was created. The Chicago Slam Works' staff and founding members are pillars of the international poetry slam movement and the organizational force behind dozens of major poetry events all over the world.

The premiere of Chicago Slam Works three-production season, "One Day When We Are All Robots" opens Friday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. at Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont. Press night is Friday, Aug. 15. "One Day When We Are All Robots" runs every Friday, Aug. 15 to Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at www.Stage773.com. For additional information visit www.ChicagoSlamWorks.com.